Display device and method for manufacturing same

ABSTRACT

A method of manufacturing a display device includes providing a window including a printed area and a plurality of alignment key areas, patterning a printed layer on the printed area such that the plurality of alignment key areas is exposed and the printed layer covers the printed area, aligning a panel to the window by using the plurality of alignment key areas, and coupling the panel to the window.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority to and thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0138104, filed on Sep.30, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure herein relates to a display device and a methodfor manufacturing the same.

Use of mobile phones, tablet PCs, and other mobile electronic deviceshas become increasingly widespread in recent years. These mobileelectronic devices include display devices for providing visualinformation such as images or pictures in order to support variousfunctions. As components for driving the display devices areminiaturized, the sizes of the display devices tend to increase inproportion to the overall size of the electronic devices. In particular,recently, as designs of electronic devices have diversified, thedesirability of flexible display devices has increased.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a panel and awindow of a display device are aligned by using a plurality of alignmentkey areas.

An embodiment of the inventive concept provides a method ofmanufacturing a display device, the method including: providing a windowhaving a printed area and a plurality of alignment key areas; patterninga printed layer on the printed area such that the plurality of alignmentkey areas is exposed and the printed layer covers the printed area;aligning a panel to the window by using the plurality of alignment keyareas; and coupling the panel to the window.

In an embodiment, the panel may be a touch panel.

In an embodiment, the method may further include forming a plurality offirst alignment marks on the touch panel.

In an embodiment, the aligning of the touch panel to the window mayinclude: sensing positions of alignment keys in the plurality ofalignment key areas; determining an alignment center point of the windowby using the sensed alignment key positions; sensing first positions ofthe plurality of first alignment marks; determining a first center pointof the touch panel by using the sensed first positions; and overlappingthe alignment center point and the first center point.

In an embodiment, the method may further include aligning a displaypanel to the window using the plurality of alignment key areas.

In an embodiment, the method may further include forming a plurality ofsecond alignment marks on the display panel, wherein the aligning of thedisplay panel to the window may include: sensing positions of thealignment keys in the plurality of alignment key areas; determining thealignment center point of the window by using the sensed alignment keypositions; sensing second positions of the plurality of second alignmentmarks; determining a second center point of the display panel by usingthe sensed second positions; and overlapping the alignment center pointand the second center point.

In an embodiment, the method may further include coupling the displaypanel to the window with the touch panel therebetween.

In an embodiment, the patterning of the printed layer may includeprinting a printing material on the printed area.

In an embodiment, the patterning of the printed layer may includeattaching a printed film on the printed area.

In an embodiment, shapes of the plurality of alignment key areas whenviewed in a plane may be at least one of ‘+’, a diamond, ‘−’, ‘x’, or‘T’.

In an embodiment, a shape of each of the plurality of alignment keyareas when viewed in a plane may have at least one vertex.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, a display device includes: awindow including a window and a plurality of alignment key areas spacedapart from each other; a printed layer configured to cover the printedarea and to expose the plurality of alignment key areas; and a touchpanel including a plurality of first alignment marks spaced apart fromeach other, wherein an alignment center point, defined by anintersection of imaginary lines which connect positions of alignmentkeys in the plurality of alignment key areas, and a first center point,defined by imaginary lines which connect first positions of theplurality of first alignment marks, are overlapped.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a display panelincluding a plurality of second alignment marks spaced apart from eachother, wherein the alignment center point and a second center point,defined by an intersection of imaginary lines connecting secondpositions of the plurality of second alignment marks, may be overlapped.

In an embodiment, the window may include a display part on which imagesare displayed and a non-display part configured to block images, thenon-display part may include the plurality of alignment key areas andthe printed areas, and a shape of the display part when viewed in aplane may be substantially circular or elliptical.

In an embodiment, the display part may be symmetrical with respect to animaginary X-axis parallel to a first direction and symmetrical withrespect to an imaginary Y-axis parallel to a second direction, and asecond center point of the display part may be an intersection of theX-axis and the Y-axis.

In an embodiment, the printed layer may be on the printed area and mayinclude a printing material.

In an embodiment, the printing material may include a printed film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings are included to facilitate a greaterunderstanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a display device according to an embodimentof the inventive concept;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ illustratedin FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 3 is a view for describing a process in which a touch panel and adisplay panel according to an embodiment of the inventive concept arealigned;

FIG. 4A is a view describing a process in which a display panel and atouch panel are coupled to a window according to an embodiment of theinventive concept;

FIG. 4B is a side view of a display device according to the processdescribed with reference to FIG. 4A;

FIGS. 5A through 5D are views illustrating various examples of alignmentkey areas of embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a display deviceaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the box S401 illustrated in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a window according to an embodimentof the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concept may be modified in many alternate forms, and thusspecific embodiments will be exemplified in the drawings and describedin detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended tolimit the inventive concept to the particular forms disclosed herein.The inventive concept covers various suitable modifications andequivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure, including the appended claims.

In the descriptions of the drawings, like reference numerals refer tolike elements (or components) throughout. In the drawings, thedimensions and size of each structure may be exaggerated, omitted, orschematically illustrated for convenience in description and clarity.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements,components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited bythese terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component,region, layer, or section from another element, component, region,layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, orsection discussed below could be termed a second element, component,region, layer, or section, without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise,”“comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” and “include,” whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,”“above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or in operation, in additionto the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the devicein the figures is turned over, elements described as “below,” “beneath,”or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” theother elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under”can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may beotherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations)and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpretedaccordingly.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the presentinvention refers to “one or more embodiments of the present invention.”Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example orillustration.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” “coupledwith,” or “adjacent to” another element or layer, it can be “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” “directly connectedwith,” “directly coupled with,” or “directly adjacent to” the otherelement or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may bepresent. Furthermore, “connection,” “connected,” etc., may also refer to“electrical connection,” “electrically connected,” etc., depending onthe context in which such terms are used as would be understood by thoseskilled in the art. When an element or layer is referred to as being“directly on,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” “directlyconnected with,” “directly coupled with,” or “immediately adjacent to”another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent.

As used herein, “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used asterms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended toaccount for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated valuesthat would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may be consideredsynonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,”respectively.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described belowin more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a front view of a display device according to an embodimentof the inventive concept, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view takenalong the line I-I′ illustrated in FIG. 1A.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a display device 1000 (e.g., see FIG. 4B)includes a window 100 and a printed layer 102. In an example of theinventive concept, the printed layer 102 may be disposed on the window100.

The window 100 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept mayinclude a display part 101 for displaying images and a non-display partfor blocking images.

The window 100 may be formed of a transparent material. For example, thewindow 100 may be formed of rigid glass. Also, the window 100 mayinclude a flexible polymer bent and/or bendable by external force. Thewindow 100 may include a polymer having superior heat resistance,durability, and flexibility, such as polyethylene terephthalate,polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyetherimide,polyether sulfone, polyimide, and polymethyl methacrylate.

The display part 101 may have a circular or an elliptical shape. Forexample, the display part 101 may be symmetrical with respect to animaginary X-axis parallel to a first direction D1. At the same time, thedisplay part 101 may be symmetrical with respect to an imaginary Y-axisparallel to a second direction D2 which is perpendicular to the firstdirection D1. The center point of the display part 101 may be at anintersection of the X-axis and the Y-axis.

The non-display area may include a printed area PRA and a plurality ofalignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4.

The printed layer 102 may be patterned on the printed area PRA. Forexample, the printed layer 102 may be formed through a method in which aprinting material is printed on the printed area PRA, or through amethod in which a printed film is attached to the printed area PRA.

The printed layer 102 and the printed film may include a printingmaterial. The color of the printing material may be non-white. In anexample of the inventive concept, the color of the printing material maybe black, and may include a light-blocking material.

Accordingly, the printed layer 102 may block the light emitted from adisplay panel PA described hereinbelow.

The plurality of alignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4 may be defined asan area in the non-display part where the printed area PRA is notformed.

In an example of the inventive concept, each of the plurality ofalignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4 may be spaced apart from eachother. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the non-display part mayinclude four alignment key areas.

The four alignment key areas may be defined, clockwise from thealignment key area disposed at an upper left side thereof, as a firstalignment key area AKA1, a second alignment key area AKA2, a thirdalignment key area AKA3, and a fourth alignment key area AKA4.

For example, with respect to the Y-axis, the first alignment key areaAKA1 and the second alignment key area AKA2 may be symmetrical, and thethird alignment key area AKA3 and the fourth alignment key area AKA4 maybe symmetrical.

Likewise, with respect to the X-axis, the first alignment key area AKA1and the fourth alignment key area AKA4 may be symmetrical, and thesecond alignment key area AKA2 and the third alignment key area AKA3 maybe symmetrical.

The plurality of alignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4 may be used foraligning the touch panel TPA (see FIG. 2) and the display panel PA(e.g., see FIG. 3) to the window 100. The process by which the touchpanel TPA and the display panel PA are aligned to the window 100 will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

In an example embodiment of the inventive concept, the shapes of theplurality of alignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4, when viewed in aplane, may be the same or substantially the same, and the shapes of theplurality of alignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4, when viewed in aplane, may include at least one vertex. For example, the shapes of theplurality of alignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4, when viewed in aplane, may be shapes of ‘+’, a diamond, ‘−’, ‘x’, or ‘T’. In FIG. 1A,for example, the plurality of alignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4 areillustrated as having the shape of ‘+’.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the printed layer 102 is disposed on an uppersurface of the window 100. The printed layer 102 may cover the printedarea PRA and expose the plurality of alignment key areas AKA1 throughAKA4. FIG. 1B illustrates a portion of the alignment key area AKA4 ashaving the shape of ‘+’.

Accordingly, when the window 100 and the printed layer 102 are viewedfrom the outside, areas corresponding to the plurality of alignment keyareas may be transparent, and areas corresponding to the printed areaPRA may be opaque.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to anembodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 2, the touch panel TPA may have a circular shape.

The touch panel TPA may include a plurality of first alignment marksAM1-1 through AM1-4. The plurality of first alignment marks AM1-1through AM1-4 may be patterns formed of a metallic material.

In an example of the inventive concept, each of the plurality of firstalignment marks AM1-1 through AM1-4 may be spaced apart from each other.

The four first alignment marks may be defined, clockwise from the firstalignment mark disposed at an upper left side, as a 1-1 alignment markAM1-1, a 1-2 alignment mark AM1-2, a 1-3 alignment mark AM1-3, and a 1-4alignment mark AM1-4.

The shapes of the plurality of first alignment marks AM1-1 throughAM1-4, when viewed in a plane, may be the same or substantially the sameas one another, and each of the shapes of the plurality of firstalignment marks AM1-1 through AM1-4, when viewed in a plane, may have atleast one vertex. The shapes of the plurality of alignment marks AM1-1through AM1-4, when viewed in a plane, may be shapes of ‘+’, a diamond,‘−’, ‘x’, or ‘T’.

The plurality of alignment marks AM1-1 through AM1-4 may be used foraligning the touch panel TPA to the window 100.

FIG. 3 is a view for describing a process in which a touch panel and adisplay panel according to an embodiment of the inventive concept arealigned;

Although only the touch panel TPA is described with reference to FIG. 2,the display panel PA may also, like the touch panel (TPA), include aplurality of second alignment marks AM2-1 through AM2-4. The pluralityof second alignment marks AM2-1 through AM2-4 may be patterns formed ofa metallic material.

In an example of the inventive concept, each of the plurality of secondalignment marks AM2-1 through AM2-4 may be spaced apart from each other.

The four second alignment marks may be defined, clockwise from thesecond alignment mark disposed at an upper left side, as a 2-1 alignmentmark AM2-1, a 2-2 alignment mark AM2-2, a 2-3 alignment mark AM2-3, anda 2-4 alignment mark AM2-4.

The shapes of the plurality of second alignment marks AM2-1 throughAM2-4, when viewed in a plane, may be the same or substantially the sameas one another, and each of the shapes of the plurality of secondalignment marks AM2-1 through AM2-4, when viewed in a plane, may have atleast one vertex. The shapes of the plurality of second alignment marksAM2-1 through AM2-4, when viewed in a plane, may be shapes of ‘+’, adiamond, ‘−’, ‘x’, ‘T,’ or combination thereof.

The position of the first alignment key may be defined in the firstalignment key area AKA1, and the position of the third alignment key maybe defined in the third alignment key area AKA3. In an example of theinventive concept, the position of the first alignment key may be thecenter of the first alignment key area AKA1, may be on a border of thefirst alignment key area AKA1, or may be on a vertex which is defined bythe borders of the first alignment key area AKA1. Likewise, in anexample of the inventive concept, the position of the third alignmentkey may be the center of the third alignment key area AKA3, or may be ona border of the third alignment key area AKA3 or on a vertex which isdefined by the borders of the third alignment key area AKA3.

The first alignment key area AKA1 and the third alignment key area AKA3may have the same or substantially the same shape, and thus whensymmetrizing the first alignment key area AKA1 with respect to theX-axis and the Y-axis to overlap the third alignment key area AKA3, thepositions of the first alignment key and the third alignment key may beoverlapped.

The position of the second alignment key may be defined in the secondalignment key area AKA2, and the position of the fourth alignment keymay be defined in the fourth alignment key area AKA4. In an example ofthe inventive concept, the position of the second alignment key may bethe center of the second alignment key area AKA2, may be on a border ofthe second alignment key area AKA2, or may be on a vertex which isdefined by the borders of the second alignment key area AKA2. Likewise,in an example of the inventive concept, the position of the fourthalignment key may be the center of the fourth alignment key area AKA4,may be on a border of the fourth alignment key area AKA4, or may be on avertex which is defined by the borders of the fourth alignment key areaAKA4.

The second alignment key area AKA2 and the fourth alignment key areaAKA4 may have the same or substantially the same shape, and thus whensymmetrizing the second alignment key area AKA2 with respect to theX-axis and the Y-axis to overlap the fourth alignment key area AKA4, thepositions of the second alignment key and the fourth alignment key maybe overlapped.

An alignment center point 302 may be on the center of the window 100.The alignment center point 302 may be the intersection of a firstimaginary line IL1 connecting the positions of the first alignment keyand the third alignment key and a second imaginary line IL2 connectingthe positions of the second alignment key and the fourth alignment key.

In relation to the touch panel, a 1-1 position may be on the 1-1alignment mark AM1-1, and a 1-3 position may be on the 1-3 alignmentmark AM1-3.

In an example of the inventive concept, the 1-1 position may be thecenter of the 1-1 alignment mark AM1-1, may be on a border of the 1-1alignment mark AM1-1, or may be on a vertex which is defined by theborders of the 1-1 alignment mark AM1-1. Likewise, the 1-3 position maybe the center of the 1-3 alignment mark AM1-3, may be on a border of the1-3 alignment mark AM1-3, or may be on a vertex which is defined by theborders of the 1-3 alignment mark AM1-3.

In the same manner, a 1-2 position may be on the 1-2 alignment markAM1-2, and a 1-4 position may be on the 1-4 alignment mark AM1-4.

In an example of the inventive concept, the 1-2 position may be thecenter of the 1-2 alignment mark AM1-2, may be on a border of the 1-2alignment mark AM1-2, or may be on a vertex which is defined by theborders of the 1-2 alignment mark AM1-2. Likewise, the 1-4 position maybe the center of the 1-4 alignment mark AM1-4, may be on a border of the1-4 alignment mark AM1-4, or may be on a vertex which is defined by theborders of the 1-4 alignment mark AM1-4.

A first center point 304 may be on the center of the touch panel TPA.The first center point 304 may be defined as the intersection of a thirdimaginary line IL3 connecting the 1-1 position and the 1-3 position anda fourth imaginary line IL4 connecting the 1-2 position and the 1-4position.

In relation to the display panel PA, a 2-1 position may be on the 2-1alignment mark AM2-1, and a 2-3 position may be on the 2-3 alignmentmark AM2-3.

In an example of the inventive concept, the 2-1 position may be thecenter of the 2-1 alignment mark AM2-1, may be on a border of the 2-1alignment mark AM2-1, or may be on a vertex which is defined by theborders of the 2-1 alignment mark AM2-1. Likewise, the 2-3 position maybe the center of the 2-3 alignment mark AM2-3, may be on a border of the2-3 alignment mark AM2-3, or may be on a vertex which is defined by theborders of the 2-3 alignment mark AM2-3.

In the same manner, a 2-2 position may be on the 2-2 alignment markAM2-2, and a 2-4 position may be on the 2-4 alignment mark AM2-4.

In an example of the inventive concept, the 2-2 position may be thecenter of the 2-2 alignment mark AM2-2, may be on a border of the 2-2alignment mark AM2-2, or may be on a vertex which is defined by theborders of the 2-2 alignment mark AM2-2. Likewise, the 2-4 position maybe the center of the 2-4 alignment mark AM2-4, may be on a border of the2-4 alignment mark AM2-4, or may be on a vertex which is defined by theborders of the 2-4 alignment mark AM2-4.

A second center point 306 may be on the center of the display panel PA.The second center point 306 may be defined as the intersection of afifth imaginary line IL5 connecting the 2-1 position and the 2-3position and a sixth imaginary line IL6 connecting the 2-2 position andthe 2-4 position.

The display device 1000 (see FIG. 4B), according to an embodiment of theinventive concept, may include the window 100, the touch panel TPA, andthe display panel PA, wherein the alignment center point 302 and thefirst center point 304 may be overlapped, and the alignment center point302 and the second center point 306 may be overlapped. Consequently, thealignment center point 302, the first center point 304, and the secondcenter point 306 may be overlapped as one point.

FIG. 4A is a view describing a process in which a display panel and atouch panel are coupled to a window according to an embodiment of theinventive concept, and FIG. 4B is a side view of a display deviceaccording to the process described with reference to FIG. 4A.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, as described with reference to FIG. 3,after the first center point 304 is aligned to the alignment centerpoint 302, the touch panel TPA is coupled to the window 100.

The touch panel TPA may be coupled to the window 100 through, forexample, an adhesive member.

Next, as described with reference to FIG. 3, after the second centerpoint 306 is aligned to the alignment center point 302, the displaypanel PA is coupled to the window 100.

The display panel PA may be coupled to the window 100 through, forexample, an adhesive member. The display panel PA may be attached to arear surface of the touch panel TPA.

Accordingly, as described above, the display device 1000 may include thewindow 100, the touch panel TPA, and the display panel PA; the touchpanel TPA may be provided at a rear surface side of the window 100; andthe display panel PA may be provided at a rear surface side of the touchpanel TPA.

FIGS. 5A through 5D are views illustrating various examples of alignmentkey areas of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the shapes of the plurality of alignment key areasAKA1 through AKA4 when viewed in a plane may be a shape of ‘^(⊥)’, andreferring to FIG. 5B, the shapes of the plurality of alignment key areasAKA1 through AKA4 when viewed in a plane may be a diamond shape.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the shapes of the plurality of alignment key areasAKA1 through AKA4 when viewed in a plane may be a shape of ‘

’, and referring to FIG. 5D, the shapes of the plurality of alignmentkey areas AKA1 through AKA4 when viewed in a plane may be a shape of‘^(⊥)’.

Also, in FIGS. 5A through 5D, the shapes of the plurality of alignmentkey areas AKA1 through AKA4 when viewed in a plane may be ‘−’, ‘x’,and/or an arbitrary figure which includes one or more vertexes in across section thereof.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a display devicewhich is an embodiment of the inventive concept, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the box S401 illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, a window 100 is provided to be part of adisplay device 1000 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept(S101). Then, a printed layer 102 is formed on a printed area PRA(S102). A plurality of alignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4 and theprinted layer 102 may be defined by providing the printed layer 102. Themethod for patterning the printed layer 102 has already been describedand thus may not be repeated.

A touch panel is provided (S201) and a plurality of first alignmentmarks AM1-1 through AM1-4 are formed on the touch panel TPA (S202).Next, a display panel PA is provided (S301) and a plurality of secondalignment marks AM2-1 through AM2-4 are formed on the display panel PA(S302). The plurality of first alignment marks AM1-1 through AM1-4 andthe plurality of second alignment marks AM2-1 through AM2-4 may be apatterned metallic material.

The touch panel TPA is aligned to the window 100 (S401).

The box S401 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. Thepositions of the alignment keys are sensed by using a plurality ofalignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4 (S701). In an example of theinventive concept, the positions of the alignment keys may be on centerpoints, borders, and/or vertexes of the plurality of alignment key areasAKA1 through AKA4. In an example of the inventive concept, the positionsof the alignment keys are disposed on the window 100, and may be sensedthrough an imaging device which optically captures the first to fourthkey areas AKA1 through AKA4. The imaging device may sense the positionsof the alignment keys by effectively detecting vertexes other thancurves or straight lines in the plurality of alignment key areas AKA1through AKA4.

First positions of the touch panel TPA are sensed (S801). In an exampleof the inventive concept, the first positions may be on center points,borders, or vertexes of the plurality of first alignment marks AM1-1through AM1-4. In an example of the inventive concept, the firstpositions are disposed on the touch panel TPA, and may be sensed throughthe imaging device which captures the 1-1 to 1-4 alignment marks

AM1-1 through AM1-4. The imaging device may sense the positions of thealignment keys by effectively detecting vertexes other than curves orstraight lines in the plurality of first alignment marks AM1-1 throughAM1-4.

An alignment center point 302 is determined by using the sensedpositions of the alignment keys (S702). As described above, thealignment center point 302 may be determined as the point at which afirst imaginary line IL1 connecting the positions of the first and thirdalignment keys and a second imaginary line IL2 connecting the positionsof the second and fourth alignment keys intersect.

Concurrently with box S702, a first center point 304 is determined(S802). The first center point 304 may be determined as the point atwhich a third imaginary line IL3 connecting the 1-1 and 1-3 positionsand a second imaginary line IL2 connecting the 1-2 and 1-4 positionsintersect.

The alignment center point 302 and the first center point 304 areoverlapped (S901). For example, the touch panel TPA is moved under thewindow 100 such that the first center point 304 overlaps the alignmentcenter point 302.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the touch panel TPA (which was moved) iscoupled to the window 100 (S402). For example, the touch panel TPA iscoupled to a bottom side of the window 100.

The display panel PA is aligned to the window 100 to which the touchpanel TPA is coupled (S502).

The process in which the display panel PA is aligned to the window 100is the same or substantially the same as the above-mentioned process inwhich the touch panel TPA is aligned to the window 100, and thus adetailed description thereof may be omitted.

Next, the display panel PA is coupled to the window 100 (S602). Thedisplay panel PA may be coupled to a lower side of the window throughthe touch panel TPA. For example, by coupling the display panel PA tothe window, the touch panel TPA may be disposed under the window 100,and the display panel PA may be disposed under the touch panel TPA.Consequently, the display device 1000, according to an embodiment of theinventive concept, may be manufactured.

By using the plurality of alignment key areas AKA1 through AKA4 whichare exposed and transparently viewed through the printed layer, thewindow 100 and the touch panel TPA, and the window 100 and the displaypanel PA may be aligned.

Because a vertex fundamentally exists in typical rectangular windows andthe cross-sectional shapes of printed layers on windows, the centerpoint of the rectangular window 100 may be detected by sensing and usingthe vertexes, and the display panel PA and/or the like may be aligned byusing the center point.

In an example of the inventive concept, because, in the window 100, thedisplay part 101 having a circular shape and the cross-sectional shapeof the printed layer 102 have no vertex, the center points thereof maynot be detected by only using the window 100 and the printed layer 102.However, the window 100 may be aligned to the touch panel TPA and thedisplay panel PA by using the center point of the window 100 which isdetermined by using the plurality of alignment key areas AKA1 throughAKA4 after defining the plurality of alignment key areas AKA1 throughAKA4. As a result, existing alignment techniques may be applied and, atthe same or substantially the same time, precise alignment effects maybe achieved.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a window according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 8, a window 100′ illustrated in FIG. 8 has adifference in the shape of a plurality of alignment key areas AKA′1through AKA′4 when viewed in a plane in comparison with the window 100illustrated in FIG. 1A. A first border SL1 and a second border SL2 maybe defined in the window 100′ illustrated in FIG. 8. The first andsecond borders SL1 and SL2 may be a curved surface or a plane in anexample of the inventive concept.

Also, a line segment defined by the first and second borders SL1 and SL2may be respectively defined as a first line segment L1 and a second linesegment L2.

An end of the first line segment L1 and an end of the second linesegment L2 are defined as alignment vertexes, and the other ends of thefirst and second line segments L1 and L2 may be connected by a portionof the edge of the window 100′.

The remaining configuration of the window 100′ illustrated in FIG. 8 hasalready been described and thus may not be described redundantly.

A window may be aligned with a touch panel and a display panel by usinga center point of the window determined through a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of theinventive concept. As a result, existing alignment techniques may beapplied and, at the same or substantially the same time, precisealignment effects may be achieved.

While exemplary embodiments of the present invention are describedabove, a person skilled in the art should understand that many suitablemodifications and variations may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a display device, themethod comprising: patterning a printed layer on a printed area of awindow, having the printed area and a plurality of alignment key areas,such that the plurality of alignment key areas is exposed and theprinted layer covers the printed area; aligning a panel to the window byusing the plurality of alignment key areas; and coupling the panel tothe window.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises: atouch panel.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: forming aplurality of first alignment marks on the touch panel.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the aligning of the touch panel to the windowcomprises: sensing positions of the alignment keys in the plurality ofalignment key areas; determining an alignment center point of the windowby using the sensed alignment key positions; sensing first positions ofthe plurality of first alignment marks; determining a first center pointof the touch panel by using the sensed first positions; and overlappingthe alignment center point and the first center point.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the panel comprises: a display panel the method furthercomprising: aligning the display panel to the window using the pluralityof alignment key areas.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:forming a plurality of second alignment marks on the display panel,wherein the aligning of the display panel to the window comprises:sensing positions of the alignment keys in the plurality of alignmentkey areas; determining the alignment center point of the window by usingthe sensed alignment key positions; sensing second positions of theplurality of second alignment marks; determining a second center pointof the display panel by using the sensed second positions; andoverlapping the alignment center point and the second center point. 7.The method of claim 6, further comprising: coupling the display panel tothe window with the touch panel therebetween.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the patterning of the printed layer comprises: printing aprinting material on the printed area.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinthe patterning of the printed layer comprises: attaching a printed filmon the printed area.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein shapes of theplurality of alignment key areas are at least one of ‘+’, a diamond,‘−’, ‘x’, ‘^(⊥)’, ‘

’, or ‘T’.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein a shape of each of theplurality of alignment key areas when viewed in a plane comprises atleast one vertex.
 12. A display device comprising: a window comprising aprinted area and a plurality of alignment key areas spaced apart fromeach other; a printed layer configured to cover the printed area and toexpose the plurality of alignment key areas; and a touch panelcomprising a plurality of first alignment marks spaced apart from eachother, wherein an alignment center point, defined by an intersection ofimaginary lines which connect positions of alignment keys in theplurality of alignment key areas, and a first center point, defined byimaginary lines which connect first positions of the plurality of firstalignment marks, are overlapped.
 13. The display device of claim 12,further comprising: a display panel comprising a plurality of secondalignment marks spaced from each other, wherein the alignment centerpoint and a second center point, defined by an intersection of imaginarylines connecting second positions of the plurality of second alignmentmarks, are overlapped.
 14. The display device of claim 12, wherein thewindow comprises a display part on which images are displayed and anon-display part configured to block images, wherein the non-displaypart has the plurality of alignment key areas and the printed areas, andwherein a shape of the display part when viewed in a plane issubstantially circular or elliptical.
 15. The display device of claim14, wherein the display part is symmetrical with respect to an imaginaryX-axis parallel to a first direction and is symmetrical with respect toan imaginary Y-axis parallel to a second direction perpendicular to thefirst direction, and a center point of the display part is anintersection of the X-axis and Y-axis.
 16. The display device of claim12, wherein the printed layer is on the printed area and comprises aprinting material.
 17. The display device of claim 16, wherein theprinting material comprises a printed film.